Taxpayer group wants to see the numbers behind Quebec's decision to replace Big O roof
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is questioning the Quebec government's plans to spend $870 million for a new roof over Montreal's Olympic Stadium and is demanding more transparency from the province's tourism minister.
A spokesperson for the group says if the government wants the public to believe that spending $870 million of taxpayers money on an empty stadium will double its economic benefits and triple its revenues, it wants to see the numbers to back that up.
Quebec estimates a new roof for the stadium will generate economic benefits of $150 million a year, up from $68 million. The province also argues it makes more sense to spend $870 million to replace the roof, rather than to spend even more money -- $2 billion -- to demolish the stadium.
But recent media reports have called that $2 billion figure into question, with experts pointing to other major North American stadiums being torn down for a fraction of that amount.
In a press release issued Monday, the CTF pointed to the Robert Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C. and the Yankee Stadium in New York City, that were each dismantled for less than $25 million dollars. The federation says if the estimated cost of demolishing the Big O is being called into question, then the government's estimated projections for the benefits of replacing the roof should be under scrutiny as well -- especially in the current economic context.
"I think in this current economy, following the recent announcement from the local government saying that we would be facing a bigger deficit than what was expected before, I think it's really a call from us and another citizen groups in Quebec that spending such an amount of money on a roof or a stadium that has no sports team whatsoever playing in it, this is really not what taxpayers want," said Nicolas Gagnon, Quebec director of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation in an interview.
"They want relief, they want better management of public finances and when it comes to a stadium or to anything like that we would actually expect more involvement form the private sector to make this less of a burden for taxpayers."
CTV News reached out to Tourism Minister Caroline Proulx for comment on Monday. A spokesperson for her office said that she will likely be reacting to the criticism Tuesday in Quebec City as MNAs are back for a new week at the National Assembly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
BREAKING Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Person charged in random assault on actor Steve Buscemi in New York
A person wanted in connection with the random assault on actor Steve Buscemi on a New York City street earlier this month was taken into custody Friday, police said.